Self-Care Inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge

In January we were absolutely delighted to find that we are expecting our second baby (it’s a girl!) and she is due sometime in the beginning of October. However, from about Week 5 to Week 13 I had terrible morning sickness. It was all day long with sleep being the only respite I could get. It drove me crazy to not feel “normal” for so long. Adding in the winter weather in general, including a blizzard that brought two feet of snow, I was feeling unpleasant all around. It was the perfect time for a reset.

Master Pre-Schooler and I usually take a two week trip to my parents every September. This year, I decided to bump it up to end of March/beginning of April and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I had just begun to feel a bit better so it was as though my body and spirit just needed to get over a few little hurdles. This vacation afforded the opportunity to do so.

As Master Pre-Schooler and I embarked on our eight-hour car ride, I found myself thinking that this is exactly the sort of thing Duchess Kate would consider doing if every cell in her being demanded it. It’s easy to want to save as much personal time off as possible and keep going until it feels like you’re swimming upstream. For the sake of sanity, sometimes a break is just what the doctor will order. Additionally, as a parent, it is so important that I take care of myself so that I’m present. So if you’re feeling run down, here is why you might want to consider thinking like a Duchess and taking a break.

If day to day minutia has got you down and you find that you aren’t focusing at your highest level, it might be time for a break. For me, I just couldn’t concentrate. I was too busy playing catch-up in the midst of being sick that I couldn’t do what my body needed me to: absolutely nothing. One of the benefits of being away from home is that “things to do” wasn’t constantly hovering around me. The Duchess, aside from when she is home, must be “on” at all times so I’m quite sure she appreciates the need to recharge.

Even when traveling within the United States, people and places behave differently throughout the country. It can be reviving to be in a new environment and see things differently. It can also help you understand the term “Home Sweet Home” even more so. I’m sure Duchess Kate has loved her vacations in the Caribbean but still appreciated being able to come back to her own bed afterwards!

Here’s an important Duchess Kate lesson we can all take to heart. In my previous article about what kind of apps I think the Duchess has on her phone, I mentioned that I think it’s unlikely that she has an Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn (although I’d get a kick out of listing my profession as “Duchess”!), etc. Can we all just take a moment and appreciate how much more time she has available since she isn’t mindlessly checking these accounts in the car, on the plane, or sitting at home with her family? When I was on my two-week hiatus, I found that I wasn’t checking those apps as much and the kicker is that when I did, I actually felt MORE nauseous! It was as though my brain began to buzz too heavily with all the noise, noise, noise (and negativity). Instead, I picked up a book I started at the beginning of the year and found it be much more comforting as well as much more conducive to sleep!

When you’re caught up in the day to day, it’s easy to put aside activities you enjoy because other more “important” items demand your attention. However, when you take a break, take a moment to think about what truly makes you happy and what you haven’t done in a while. Those are the things you should then be doing to recharge your soul. Being an active soul, I’m sure the Duchess loves holidays where she can find new ways to challenge herself that otherwise wouldn’t present themselves such as snorkeling in the ocean, kayaking, or boating.

When I am burnt-out, I get increasingly negative and curt. There is no way I’d be able to hide those emotions and I’m sure my smile appears more like a grimace. Nevertheless, it is amazing how much more positive, open, and smiling I am after a well-deserved break. Naturally, so much of it lies in personality (how are some people so HAPPY all the time?!). When I look at Duchess Kate, she seems so content and radiates confidence and happiness through her smile. I think to myself, “Now there is a woman who truly takes care of herself!”. Take care of your smile, ladies: make some time for you.

Mary is a contributor for What Would Kate Do?, has a B.A. in English and an MBA in International Business. She works full-time outside the home for a large financial company and has a son the same age as Prince George! She enjoys knitting and crocheting, reading, skiing, and going to tea houses.